Who We Are — Building bright futures by lifting children out of poverty
Mission
Children of Vietnam breaks the cycle of poverty for children and their families by removing barriers to opportunities and providing targeted, comprehensive support. We drive lasting change by building a collaborative ecosystem of donors, communities, and partners.
Vision
A Vietnam where all children, including those with disabilities, achieve their full potential and actively contribute to improving their communities.
How We Started
Children of Vietnam (COV) began in 1998 by Ben Wilson, who simply saw the needs of many children and decided to take action.
Ben Wilson rode a scooter through the streets of Da Nang and into the countryside, bringing aid to children and their families — food, shelter, medicine, and clothing — anything and everything a child might need. Brightening each child’s future remains our focus today.
Word of his life-changing scooter deliveries traveled fast through Da Nang, in central Vietnam. Families with children who needed help sought him out. Ben furiously worked to meet the demand. From the beginning, Ben believed in creating partnerships with the communities, finding the greatest needs, delivering aid quickly, and working to provide the support that sustained growth. These principles continue to guide us in our daily operations.